Afc West

Broncos Won`t Be A Secret Much Longer

September 08, 1985|By Bob Logan.

All that stands between John Elway and the Super Bowl is a good script.

The familiar flick about the All-American boy overcoming the bad guys at the final fadeout is ready for a long, profitable run in Denver--if he can stay healthy. With Elway at quarterback and that orange-clad defense all over the field, Denver is the team that seems to have everything.

Well, almost everything. The Broncos are 0-1 in the Super Bowl, losing 27-10 to Dallas in 1978, but they`re capable of owning a .500 record in the big one after Super Bowl XX next January. A Denver-San Francisco matchup in that game is entirely possible.

If so, perhaps unsung Bronco coach Dan Reeves will get some of the attention that has been lavished on Bill Walsh, the 49ers` resident genius. In 1984, Reeves steered a team with 24 players younger than 24-year-old Elway (14 of them rookies) to a 13-3 record and the AFC West title.

``I`d like to see us get more recognition,`` Reeves admitted. ``The veterans always expect to be picked second or worse in our division and they revel in it. The Broncos use it as a rallying point. We`re Rodney`s Rejects.`` The rest of the National Football League respects Denver. Players like receiver Steve Watson, outgained in passing yardage since 1979 only by James Lofton, and tackle Dave Studdard, who permitted just one sack in 1984, are overlooked in the media, but not on the field.

Nagging injuries to key defenders Tom Jackson and Louis Wright are worrisome, but running back Sammy Winder has recovered from a July

appendectomy. Otherwise, the offense, revamped by Reeves to let Elway open things up from the shotgun and other formations, is no longer in the grind-it- out class. Three rookies, running back Steve Sewell, wide receiver Vance Johnson and tight end Keli McGregor, are contributing already.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Is this the year when Seattle Knox on the door? With an innovator like Chuck Knox as their coach, the Seahawks can`t be discounted.

``I play the hand I`m dealt,`` Knox summed up his coaching success.

In the Kingdome, that means passing and more passing. Knox is holding a full house of receivers with a pair of aces, Dave Kreig and Jim Zorn, dealing the ball to them. And just in case running back Curt Warner doesn`t rebound from a knee injury, Knox made Iowa running back Owen Gill the Seahawks` first pick in the draft.

So the Seahawks should be even more explosive than last year, when Kreig passed for 32 touchdowns en route to a gaudy 12-4 record, their best in 10 NFL seasons. Steve Largent and Darryl Turner will share receptions with rookie Danny Greene, while Missouri`s Tony Davis adds depth to an array of tight ends topped by Charlie Young.

Sparked by safety Kenny Easley`s 10 interceptions, the Seattle defense also got respectable in 1984. Clearly, Knox has a young team on the way up.

LOS ANGELES RAIDERS

Jim Plunkett is No. 1 and Marc Wilson is No. 2--for now. Don`t be surprised if that`s reversed before long, because the Raiders can change quarterbacks, as well as cities.

The Raiders without controversy are hard to recognize. They thrive on battling the world, or each other if nobody else is handy. After a 7-1 start last season, they were hit by injuries and had to struggle to finish at 11-5 and make the playoffs.

Guard Curt Marsh broke his arm in camp and will miss the first six games. Flores has been shifting other veterans to provide depth and make room for young players.

Jessie Hester, speedy Florida State receiver, was the Raiders` first draft pick to press veterans Cliff Branch and Dokie Williams. And linebacker Reggie McKenzie became the first rookie to win a starting job since Matt Millen in 1980. With ends Howie Long and Lyle Alzado and cornerbacks Mike Haynes and Lester Hayes, the defense is still in good shape.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Dan Fouts will top the 35,000-yard mark in career passing this season. Unless the Chargers bolster their defense, opposing teams may roll up that many against them.

``The complete emphasis will be on defense this time,`` said coach Don Coryell.

Coryell proved he meant business by drafting five defensive backs, although Ohio State tackle Jim Lachey was his first choice. Still, the Chargers` defense doesn`t charge much, as evidenced by their anemic total of 33 sacks in 1984.

Fouts can still hang points on the scoreboard, and he has a new target in Trumaine Johnson, the former Blitz flash. Tight end Kellen Winslow`s return from knee surgery is very iffy.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

The Chiefs shocked the NFL by ending last season with upsets over Denver, Seattle and San Diego to finish with an 8-8 mark. ``We`re a young, exciting team,`` coach John Mackovic said.

The Chiefs have some talent on defense, notably a line that chalked up a team-record 50 sacks in 1984. It`s anchored by ends Art Still and Mike Bell, who had 28 sacks between them.

Mackovic tried to plug a glaring weaknees at running back by making North Carolina`s Ethan Horton the No. 1 draft choice and giving him every chance to crack the starting lineup. QBs Bill Kenney and Todd Blackledge can click with good receivers like Carlos Carson and Henry Marshall.